The Short Answer
Fixr's national cost guide puts move-in and move-out cleaning at $200 to $400 per visit, and at $0.20 to $0.45 per square foot when priced by size.[1] That is more than a regular clean because a move-out clean is done in an empty home and covers the inside of cabinets, drawers and appliances, plus the marks furniture leaves behind. For a larger home, the per-foot math runs well past $400.
For renters, the price of the clean is only half the question. The other half is the deposit. Under California Civil Code § 1950.5, a landlord may deduct the cost of cleaning needed to return the unit to the level of cleanliness it was in when you moved in.[2] A clean that meets that standard protects the part of your deposit set aside for cleaning.
Market ranges, not our prices. The ranges on this page come from the third-party sources listed at the bottom. They describe the wider market and are not Gold Country Cleaning prices. This page summarizes public law in plain English; it is not legal advice.
Move-Out Cleaning Cost by Home Size
Size sets most of the price, because it sets how long the clean takes. Fixr's ranges by square footage show how quickly the cost climbs for larger homes.[1]
| Home size | Move-in/out clean | Compare: basic clean |
|---|---|---|
| 800 sq ft | $160–$360 | $64–$80 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $200–$450 | $80–$100 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $400–$900 | $160–$200 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $600–$1,350 | $240–$300 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $1,000–$2,250 | $400–$500 |
By layout, Fixr lists $180 to $320 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home and $200 to $350 for a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home.[1] Apartments and small condos often fall at the low end of the size table, though many companies set a minimum charge for small jobs.
If a company quotes by the hour, Fixr's move-out ranges are $35 to $70 an hour for one cleaner, $70 to $140 for two and $110 to $210 for three.[1] For local context, housekeepers listing on Care.com in Sacramento start at an average of $22.98 an hour,[4] and the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the mean wage for maids and housekeeping cleaners in the Sacramento metro at $21.90 an hour.[5] A company's price also covers supplies, equipment, travel and overhead, so it will be higher than the wage.
What California Law Says About Cleaning and Deposits
California Civil Code § 1950.5 sets the rules for residential security deposits. The points below are taken from the statute itself.[2] Read the full text or talk to a qualified adviser before relying on it for your situation.
- The cleaning standard. A landlord may use the deposit for cleaning “necessary to return the unit to the same level of cleanliness it was in at the inception of the tenancy.” The standard is the condition when you moved in, not spotless.
- Ordinary wear and tear. Deductions for repairs are limited to damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. Cleaning is not a way to charge for normal aging of the unit.
- An initial inspection. You can ask the landlord for an inspection before you move out, held no earlier than two weeks before the tenancy ends. The landlord gives you a list of the cleaning or repairs they would otherwise deduct for, so you have time to deal with them.
- Photographs. Since April 1, 2025, landlords must photograph the unit after you move out and again after any repairs or cleaning. For tenancies that begin on or after July 1, 2025, they must also photograph it at move-in.
- The 21-day deadline. The landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, no later than 21 calendar days after you move out.
- Receipts. Receipts or invoices generally go with the statement, unless repair and cleaning deductions add up to $125 or less.
In practice, this means a move-out clean should aim to match your move-in condition, and you should keep a record of it. Take your own dated photos after the clean, and keep the cleaning invoice in case a deduction is disputed.
A Move-Out Cleaning Timeline
- Three to four weeks out: find your move-in checklist or photos, and request a cleaning quote. Weekends at the end of the month fill up first.
- About two weeks out: ask your landlord for the initial inspection the law allows, and note anything they flag.[2]
- Moving day: schedule the clean for after the last furniture and boxes leave. An empty home cleans faster and more thoroughly.
- Key handover: walk through, take dated photos of every room, and keep the cleaning invoice.
- Within 21 days: expect your deposit back with an itemized statement of any deductions.[2]
Room-by-Room Move-Out Checklist
Inspections tend to focus on the same places. Whether you clean yourself or hire help, these are the areas to cover.
- Kitchen
- Inside and outside the oven, stovetop and range hood; inside the fridge and freezer; inside cabinets and drawers; sink, faucet and backsplash; the floor under and beside appliances where you can reach.
- Bathrooms
- Tub, shower, glass and grout; toilet inside, outside and at the base; sink, vanity and mirror; inside drawers and the medicine cabinet; exhaust fan cover.
- Bedrooms and living areas
- Closet shelves and floors, baseboards, door frames, light switches and outlet covers, window sills and tracks, and ceiling fans.
- Floors throughout
- Vacuum carpets, including edges and closets, and wash hard floors once everything is out.
- Easy to miss
- Inside the dishwasher and microwave, light fixtures, vent covers, the laundry area and the tops of door frames.
What Moves the Price of a Move-Out Clean
- Size and bathrooms. The largest factors, as the tables above show.
- Condition. A home that has had regular cleaning takes far less time than one with years of built-up grease or soap scum.
- Whether the home is empty. Cleaning around furniture and boxes is slower and leaves gaps.
- Appliances. Ovens and fridges are usually included in a move-out clean, but check, since they take real time.
- Extras. Carpet shampooing, wall washing and exterior windows are often separate services.
- Timing. A tight window between move-out and handover can limit scheduling choices.
Renting and Moving in Sacramento
Move-out cleaning is a bigger market here than in many regions because so many people rent. According to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 49.2% of occupied homes in the City of Sacramento are renter-occupied, compared with 40.9% across Sacramento County, 24.2% in Placer County and 21.6% in El Dorado County.[3]
| Area | Renter-occupied | Median gross rent |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento (city) | 49.2% | $1,846 |
| Sacramento County | 40.9% | $1,870 |
| Placer County | 24.2% | $2,166 |
| El Dorado County | 21.6% | $1,704 |
Median rents in the region run from about $1,700 to $2,170 a month.[3] Because § 1950.5 generally caps a deposit at one month's rent,[2] a typical deposit here is in that range. A move-out clean is often a small cost next to the deposit it helps protect.
Housing age matters too. The median home in the City of Sacramento was built in 1978,[3] and older kitchens and bathrooms usually take longer to bring back to a clean finish. If you live in the city, our page on house cleaning in Sacramento covers how we serve your area.
Landlords and property managers need move-in cleans for the same reasons: a clean, documented unit at the start of a tenancy makes the move-out standard clear for everyone. Our move-in and move-out cleaning service covers both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does move-out cleaning cost in Sacramento?
Published market data puts move-in and move-out cleaning at about $200 to $400 per visit, or $0.20 to $0.45 per square foot.[1] Large homes can cost more. These are market ranges, not our prices.
Can my landlord charge me for cleaning in California?
Yes, but only for cleaning needed to return the unit to the level of cleanliness it was in when your tenancy began, under Civil Code § 1950.5.[2]
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit in California?
No later than 21 calendar days after you move out, with an itemized statement of any deductions.[2]
Does a professional clean guarantee I get my full deposit back?
No one can promise that, because deductions can also cover unpaid rent and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. A thorough clean and dated photos make cleaning deductions much harder to justify.
Should I clean before or after the movers leave?
After. An empty home lets the cleaner reach baseboards, closets, floors and the spots where furniture stood.
Is move-out cleaning the same as a deep clean?
They overlap, but a move-out clean is done in an empty home and usually includes inside cabinets and appliances. Our house cleaning cost guide compares standard, deep and move-out ranges side by side.
Sources
- Fixr: House Cleaning Prices | Average House Cleaning CostNational cost guide, updated January 31, 2025. Source of the per-visit, per-square-foot, home-size and hourly ranges.
- California Legislative Information: California Civil Code § 1950.5 (security deposits)Official statute text: cleaning deductions, initial inspection, photographs, 21-day return and the one-month deposit limit. Checked November 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (via Census Reporter): ACS 2024 1-year housing tables B25003, B25024, B25035, B25064 and B25077Housing age, home value, rent, tenure and structure type for the City of Sacramento and Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties.
- Care.com: How much does housekeeping cost in Sacramento, CA?Hourly rates listed by individual housekeepers on Care.com in Sacramento, as of November 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CAMay 2025 estimates for Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners (SOC 37-2012) in the Sacramento metro and nationally.
